What should I know about the healthcare law?

The health care law, also known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), was created to help lower health care costs, provide greater access to health care, and enhance the health care delivery system for Americans. It was signed into law on March 23, 2010 by President Barack Obama and includes many provisions that will roll out over the next several years.

Some of the provisions that have already been rolled out include:

• Adult children are eligible for coverage under their parents’ group health plan up to the age of 26;
• Members under age 19 may be covered, even with pre-existing medical conditions;
• Certain preventive care services are covered at 100% when services are provided through an in-network provider;
• Lifetime dollar limits are no longer applied to Essential Health Benefits for plan years effective on or after September 23;
• Flexible spending account (FSA) dollars cannot be used to pay for over-the-counter (OTC) medications at a pharmacy, supermarket or other retail store without a prescription;
• A prior approval is not required before seeking emergency care at a network or non-network hospital.
  
  

For more information on health care reform and how it affects you, go to healthcare.gov or www.uhc.com/reform.

This communication is not intended as legal or tax advice. Please contact a competent legal or tax professional for personal advice on eligibility, tax treatment and restrictions. Federal and state laws and regulations are subject to change.